Lucy Benjamin

Infobox actor


name= Lucy Benjamin
birthname= Lucy Jane Baker
birthdate= Birth date and age|1970|6|25|df=yes
birthplace= Reading, Berkshire, England,
occupation= Actress

Lucy Benjamin (born 25 June 1970) is an English actress.

Career

Born Lucy Jane Baker in Reading, Berkshire, England, she took the stage name of Benjamin after her brother. Her first acting role was as a child actor in "Doctor Who" in 1983 playing a young version of the character Nyssa. In 1989 she starred in the hit children's television programme "Press Gang", where she played Julie Craig. She left after the first series for another role, but returned for the fourth and final series until 1993, where her role was expanded somewhat. In 1995 she appeared in the Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall comedy "Bottom". However, she is best known for her role as Lisa Fowler in the BBC soap opera "EastEnders" which she played from 1998 to 2003 and was involved in several groundbreaking stories during her time there.

During her time on "EastEnders", Benjamin was involved in one of the soap's most renowned and highly anticipated storylines, known as Who Shot Phil? (2001). The storyline centred around the shooting of her on-screen lover Phil Mitchell and who, out of the many potential candidates, actually performed the dastardly deed. Several suspects emerged and the audience was kept in the dark for many weeks as to the identity of the shooter. Benjamin's character was eventually unveiled as the shooter. However, despite her heavy involvement in the memorable plot, Benjamin was asked to leave the soap in 2002 as producers felt her character had run its course and there was no story options left for her at present. At the time she admitted that her axing from the show "gutted" her and "it felt like a punch to the stomach". She was asked back for a short period in 2003 however, to help with the forthcoming exit of Steve McFadden, who was taking a hiatus from the programme.

Since leaving "EastEnders", Benjamin has appeared in the BBC television programme "The Afternoon Play", and the BBC hospital drama "Casualty". She has also appeared in pantomimes across London as well as touring for 6 months in the play "Framed" in which she starred with Tom Craig from Coronation Street.

In April 2006 it was reported in "The Daily Mirror" that Benjamin is in talks with "EastEnders" about reprising the role of Lisa Fowler. Benjamin however has confirmed in a recent interview that all rumours of her returning to EastEnders were rubbish and that the programme was not in contact with her. She did however not rule out a return saying "never say never".

In June 2006, Benjamin appeared on "", where she was the outright winner.

In October 2006 Benjamin appeared in an episode of the BBC medical drama "Doctors".

In September 2008 appears in All Star Family Fortunes winning £10,000 for her charity www.rosiesrainbowfund.co.uk

She is currently staring in The Pretender Agenda, at the New Players Theatre (formerly the Players Theatre) with Lee Ryan.

Personal life

Benjamin's offscreen relationship with "EastEnders" co-star Steve McFadden was much publicised in the British tabloid press during her time on the show. The relationship allegedly ended after McFadden was caught cheating on her with an ex-lover, Angela Bostock, the mother of his daughter. Bostock fell pregnant again and Benjamin split with McFadden in 2003.

Benjamin married oil businessman, Richard Taggart, at Babington House, Somerset on 30 March 2006. [ [http://www.mirror.co.uk/archive/2006/03/31/east-ender-lucyweds-89520-16886115/ EAST ENDER LUCYWEDS - Mirror.co.uk ] ] The couple met during a flight to Dubai and got engaged just three months later, confirmed with a diamond ring reported to have cost £8,000. [http://www.confetti.co.uk/cafe/news_gossip/news.asp?id=17096080]

Benjamin and Taggart now live in Gidea Park, Essex. [ [http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/entertainment/182802004.htm X Factor: Lucy Benjamin ] ]

In the first episode of the "" show on 31 May 2006, Sharon Osbourne let slip that Benjamin was pregnant. Evidently shocked at the revelation, Benjamin smiled while host Kate Thornton commented: "I don't think you wanted that announced tonight, did you?". Louis Walsh, who was mentoring Benjamin, always commented on the fact that she was pregnant and constantly praised her for her singing talents. [ [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds33578.html Showbiz - News - Ex-'Enders actress Lucy Benjamin pregnant - Digital Spy ] ] Benjamin gave birth by caesarian section to a girl named Bessie at Harold Wood Hospital, East London on 22 November 2006 [ [http://www.mirror.co.uk/archive/2006/11/23/a-special-delivery-for-lucy-89520-18143067/ A SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR LUCY - Mirror.co.uk ] ] .

She is a patron of the charity [http://www.rosiesrainbowfund.co.uk/index.php/about_the_fund/lucy_benjamin.html Rosie's Rainbow Fund] .

Television and film

* "Press Gang"
* "Bottom"
* "Dangerfield"
* "Casualty"
* "The Bill"
* "EastEnders"
* "Jupiter Moon"
*"Close to Home"
* "The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole"

References

External links

*imdb name|id=0071329|name=Lucy Benjamin